Preferred Citation

Biographical/Historical Note

Following the resignation of
James Stacy Coles, Roger Howell (1936-1989) was elected Bowdoin's tenth president in 1969. Howell, an alumnus of the class of 1958, a respected scholar in the field of seventeenth-century British history and a Rhodes Scholar, earned a B.A. and an M.A. at St. John's College, Oxford University. During his tenure, the College first admitted women and grew in size from 950 to 1,350 students. Howell implemented the Afro-American Studies Program, now
Africana Studies Program and oversaw the expansion of other academic programs with the addition of courses in environmental studies and a major in biochemistry. An important event during his tenure was the student strike of May 1970. The "strike" was in response to the violence at Kent State University. Siding with the students, Howell kept the College open but, in doing so, lost the support of area residents and some conservative alumni. He resigned in 1978 to pursue teaching and research full-time.

Scope and Content

Administrative papers of Roger Howell. Includes general office files on a number of important subjects, including correspondence regarding the Afro-American Studies Program (now Africana Studies), CBB educational television, co-education, the 175th anniversary capital campaign, the 1970 student strike and the Senior Center. The records also include president's reports and faculty committee material. As material in folders often overlaps presidential administrations, the researcher may wish to consult the records of former and subsequent presidents for relevant information on a particular subject. For additional Roger Howell materials, see the Roger Howell Papers (M93).

Access Restrictions

Collection Inventory

1.2.10.1: Subject Files, 1952-1993, undated 16.9 linear feet.

Series Description:

Includes general office correspondence regarding College affairs. Noteworthy are files relating to the
Afro-American Studies Program, CBB educational television, the 175th anniversary capital campaign, co-education, ROTC, the
Senior Center, and the May 1970 student strike. Some records carried over from the previous administration of
James Stacy Coles.

U.S. Dept. Health, Ed. and Welfare: Economics Opportunity Act: Work Study Program

17

13

U.S. Dept. of Labor Manpower Research Institutional Grant

17

14

U.S. Govt.--General Legislation 1967-

17

15

U.S. Govt.--Misc.

17

16

U.S. Govt. Rehab Act of 1973

17

17

U.S. Govt. --Re Tax Legislation

17

18

U.S. Treasury--Savings Bonds Div. thru 1974

17

19

U.S. Treasury--Savings Bonds Div. 1975

17

20

V Miscellaneous 1966-789, 1987

17

21

Vietnam and Southeast Asia

17

22

Visit

17

23

W Miscellaneous Folder 1/2

17

24

W Miscellaneous Folder 2/2

17

25

Warnborough House

17

26

Watson, Thomas J., Foundation thru 1971-72 Folder 1/2

17

27

Watson, Thomas J., Foundation thru 1971-72 Folder 1/2

17

28

X,Y,Z Misc.

1.2.10.2: President's Reports, 1967-1978 0.1 linear feet.

Series Description:

Reports of the President of Bowdoin College. From 1905 until 1974, these reports were published as a number of the
Bowdoin College Bulletin. After 1974, the reports were published separately. Reports may include information on admissions, graduation, necrologies, retirements, finances and appointments. A report from the Librarian is included in many of the issues, as is a report from the Dean of the College, now
Dean of Student Life.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions.

Bulletin

6.2

#369 1967-1968

6.2

#373 1968-1969

6.2

#377 1969-1970

6.2

#381 1970-1971

6.2

#385 1971-1972

6.2

#389 1972-1973

6.2

#393 1973-1974

6.2

#397 1974-1975

6.2

#401 1975-1976

Box

Folder

17

29

Howell, Roger Jr. President's Reports 1976-1977, 1977-1978

1.2.10.3: Faculty Committees, 1953-1981 1.0 linear foot.

Series Description:

Records of various faculty committees during Howell's administration, with materials interfiled from previous and later administrations. The Faculty Affairs Committee, the Faculty Research Committee, and the Lectures and Concerts Committee are among the committees included.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.

Access Restrictions:

Closed for 20 years from date of creation, except the folder which contains Graduate Scholarship Committee letters, which is restricted until 2056.